The Heard-Depp relationship, not too surprisingly, reportedly played a role both in Heard's breakup with van Ree and Depp's decision to leave his girlfriend of 14 years (and mother of his two children), Vanessa Paradis.

"All I did was write a check, but it's something that was, to me, worth every penny," MacFarlane told The Associated Press. "He's a man whose life's work should be accessible to everybody."

MacFarlane ("Ted," "Family Guy") met Sagan's widow and collaborator, Ann Druyan, at an event a few years ago, and they agreed to collaborate on a follow-up to "Cosmos," Sagan's acclaimed 1980 miniseries, with MacFarlane serving as producer. Astrophysicst Neil deGrasse Tyson will host the series, which is scheduled to begin production this fall.